Graceful Truth

THE HARDEST HYMN

April 07, 2023

THE HARDEST HYMN

In quiet faith, He laid life down,
And took upon Himself the crown,
That no one else could rightly bear;
A crown of thorns that none could share.
 
His face, like flint, was firmly set.
His steps, determined, as He went,
And climbed the hill of Calvary,
To pay the vicious price for me.
 
The somber sound of hammering nails,
His persecutors did not fail,
But none of them could comprehend
It was His choice to die for them.
 
And slowly, all our grotesque sin
Deliberately was laid on Him.
His form was changed from purity;
His likeness gone, no one could see.
 
The Father saw His blessed Son,
Transfigured by what sin had done;
And turned His back, the judgment given,
To separate His Son from heaven.
 
“My God,” Christ cried in agony,
“Oh, why have You forsaken Me?”
And with a broken heart, He cried,
“Tetelestai,” and then He died.
 
The sky went dark; the sun had died,
The rocks split open as they cried.
All hope was lost, all joy was gone.
The devil laughed, the demons sang.
 
But in the halls of heaven above,
A knowing smile appeared with love.
God gazed upon His lifeless Son,
“Just wait three days. I am not done.”
 
Bill Elliff
Good Friday
April 7, 2023


Also in Graceful Truth

THE SURPRISING, CONSTANT ENCOURAGEMENT OF CHRIST
THE SURPRISING, CONSTANT ENCOURAGEMENT OF CHRIST

February 20, 2025

If you have questions about how real, how present, how personal and intimate the Lord is, then just read six words of travelogue in Luke’s journal as he traveled with Paul.

Continue Reading

SETTLING THE ISSUE OF WHY YOU LIVE
SETTLING THE ISSUE OF WHY YOU LIVE

February 18, 2025

I have known many people who have had great joy and power in the midst of great suffering. It is humbling that the slightest inconveniences deter many of us from following God. We have not gotten to the bottom—settled the issue. Most often, we live for our comfort, reputation, or gain. When any of those goals are touched, we are troubled and discontent. 

Continue Reading

REPENTANCE IS NOT WHAT YOU THINK
REPENTANCE IS NOT WHAT YOU THINK

February 17, 2025

The repentant who finds God gains everything. “He who has God and everything else,” said C.S. Lewis, “has no more than he who has God alone.”

Continue Reading